Lightwell



March 19, 1935. E P, ROSS E T AL- 1,994,898

L IGHTWELL Fil'ed Nov. 2s, 1935 2 sheets-sheet 1 i l f Fig. 1.

Jo -f `23 22 INVENTOR S I6 Ellz'ot P. Ross James VLau/rence March .1.9, 1935. E P, RQSS ET AL `1,994,898

l' INVEN-roRs Elliott l). Ross ames WLan/rence 'EN BY J2 17 li/Za. i4..

AT ORNEY exterior thereof.

Patented Mar. 19, 1935 IJGHTWELL l Elliott P. Ross, Forest Hills, and James'V.`Law

rence, Astoria, N. Y., assignors 'to Ford ,Instru-I Y ment Company, Inc., Long Island City, N.`Y., a corporation of New York f Application `November 28, A1933,Serial No."70il,068

1s claims( `This invention relates to lightwells adapted to be combined with a Wall of a chamber that has a relatively dark interior whereby objects within the chamber may be clearly observed fromthe More particularly, thev invention concernslightwells for illuminating devices, such as dials and `other indicators, `operable mechanism and gyroscopes that may wander, all or any of which are inside the casings of nre control instruments. The manner of illuminating is such that thedanger of an enemy detecting the presence of the instruments through observance of their illumination is reduced to a minimum'.r

It is an object of the invention to provide a device of this character which shall be of simple, compact, reliable and inexpensive construction, and `which gives ready access to lamps and other internal parts of the device from the exterior of the casing or other object to which the lightwell is attached, such access being had without the removal of the lightwell as a whole from the cbject with which it is combined.

Other features appearing hereinafter are, of course, to be understood as forming part of the present invention. Y

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is an elevational View showing the exterior of the'lightwell;

Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the lightwell taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a view of the end of thelightwell that is provided `with a removable cover, partsbeing.

broken away to disclose portions of the disk end of the lamp holder and the end of thelightwell which it closes;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the lightwell taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, and illustrating certain electrical connections,V as Well as the slidable mounting for the lamp holder;

Fig. 5 is a View ofthe light-emitting end ofthe lightwell, part of the gasket thereat being'broken away;A

Fig. G is a horizontal transverse section of the lightwell taken on the line 6-'6 of Fig. 3,-A some of the parts being shown in plan; and

Fig. '7 is a perspective View of the vlightwell with the cap and lamp holder moved into position to give access to the lamps and the interior of the well, parts being shown in section.

In the drawings, l represents the major cylindrical part of the main body portion of the casing of the lightwell which has an end portion 2 oi slightly reduced diameter. At theY junction of the cylindrical portions 1 and 2 of the main body (ol. 24o-a) portion of the lightwell, is an exterior rectangular attachment ange 3, lying against one side of which is a gasket d of cork or other suitable material. As shown' in Figs'l and 2, the opposite side of the gasketV lies lagainst-the flat surface of agboss 5 of a casing 6 of an instrument the interior of which requires ilhunination for dials and the like. The shapeof` the gasket l as shown in Fig. 5 corresponds to the contourY of theflat surface of the boss 5 the gasket sealing the opening inthe casing 6 through which the end'portion'Z of' the lightwell extends. Screws '7, shown in Fig. 1, pass through holes in the attachment ange 3 and gasket 4 and are threadediinto the boss' 5, thereby holding the cylindrical body portionv of the lightwell casing securely tothe instrument casing 6. The gasket 4 is ythus compressed and seals thev opening in the instrument `casing 6 through which the lightwell. passes, so that Water .or moisture cannotjenterthe instrument casing, which it will be understood is also sealed vat all other necessary places `for this purpose. Y

Applied tothe end 2 of slightlyreduced diameter' ofthecylindrical body portion of the lightwell casing is a transparent or translucent disk 8, which forms a window for the emission 'of lightifrom the lightwell.' AThis'disk is preferably of unshatterable material, Asuch as translucent bakelite, and is provided with annularly arranged holes therethrough in proximity to its circumferencescrews 9 passingy through theseholes and being screwed into thek wall of the end 2of theV lightwell casing.' as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5. As it isl desired to] exclude dampness from the in. terior vof the instrument, a self-hardening substance, such as 'a weather-proofvarnish, is interposed between the edge of the end 2 of the lightwell casing andgthe circular marginal portion of the disk 8, thus effectively sealing the lightwell at this place. l A

At thevother end of, th

e cylindrical body portion y l of the lightwell casing there is a circularl ange l0 the periphery of which `is provided with screw threads. Screwedonto theilange 10 .-.is theninternally threaded portionof a cap 1l, which coverris provided with external spaced'ap'art annularly arranged bosses 12, whichafford an excellent nger grip forapplying orremoving the cap. y,

, The cap '11 has a\c\entral circular hole through which a cylindricalstud 13 extends, the stud preferably-having a slightly rounded end in the rear of which the stud is provided with a semi# cylindrical groove 'invvhich fa split ring 14 is seated. Between the ring 14 and the l'at'circular surface of the cap 11 is a washer 15 which takesV the wear occasioned by screwing'the cap onto and off the ange 10 of the body portion of the lightwell casing. The stud 13Y is integral with an enlarged circular head or disk 16 of a .lamp holder, the body portion 17 of which is integrally formed with the disk 16. Such body portion 17 of the' lamp holderis, in one direction, of much less dimension than the internal diameter of the main portion 1 of the cylindrical lightwell casing, and in a direction perpendicular to the rst mentioned directionapproaches the lightwell casing much `more closely, but leaves room for electrical conductors that are referred to more fully hereinafter. sectional contour of the body portion 17 of the lamp holder is seen in Fig. 4 to have parallel sides connected at opposite ends'by semi-circular sides. Ribs 18 and 19 are integral With and. strengthen the connection between the body portion 17 of the lamp holder and disk portion 16 thereof.

On its outer side the 'disk 16 is provided with -acentral boss 20 between which and the at circular interior surface of the cap 11 a wear Washer 21 is interposed, the washer 21 being slipped over the stud 13. In extending from its central boss 20 to its circumference, thedisk 16 is attenuated, its inside surface being at and 'overlapping the end of the slightly larger portion 1 of the lightwell casing, which contains an annular groove in which lies a circular gasket 22.*The iiat side of the lamp holder disk 16 is forced against the gasket 22, which is compressed when the cap 11 is screwed onto the lightwell casing. Therefore, this end of the lightwell casing is effectively sealed, as is its opposite end.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the body portion17 of the lamp holder has a peculiar recess which comprises Vtwo parallel cylindrical spaces connected by an intermediateY space. Lamp sockets 23 are permanently retained in the cylindrical spaces of the lamp holder, and lamp bulbs 24 are removablyheld in the sockets 23 in the usual manner. Figs. 2 and 4 showV bare wires 25 Whichelectrically connect the terminals of `the lamp sockets 23 for proper inclusion in `a lighting'circuit. VBared ends'ofV-a pair of insulated conductors 26 are individually looped around and preferably soldered to the respective terminalconnecting wires 25. The insulated conductors 26 adjacent to their bared looped ends lie in the intermediate space between the lamp 'sockets 23, and extend to and through a somewhat elongated aperture 27 in one of the flat walls of the body portion 17 of the lamp holder, as shown in Figs. 2,.,4 and 6. f Y

Y Emerging from the lamp holder through aperture 27, the conductors 26 respectively extend in opposite directions following diagonally to some'degree the cross sectional contour of the body-portion17 of thelamp holder toward its disk V176l and approximately to the'side of Ythe lamp holder that is opposite to the side-from Which the conductors emerge., Thereafter each conductor 26 is loosely-bent to extend `toward the opposite end of the lightwell, and in so extending passesv under one of a pair of oppositely projecting guide pins 28 that are riveted to or otherwise carried by a- U-shaped guide bracket 29, which is referred to more in detail hereinafter. Passing lfrom under the guide pins `28, the conductors 2.6 -further extend on opposite sides ofthe U- shaped bracket 29 and an attachment 1ug13 The cross with is entered. Beyond this insulated end of the conductor 26 a bared portion of the latter extends into the portion. of the recess that is of smaller diameter and is retained in place by 'solder 33, which is applied through a hole 33.

Referring tofFigs. 2 and 6, it is seen that the lextension 32 vof Aeach terminal 31 projects inwardly from a base plate 34 one side of which lies against the inside of the window disk 8, being held to the latter by a screw 35. Projecting from the oppositeV side of the base plate 34 of each terminal 31 is another extension 36, which contains a screw threaded hole, the' extension extending slightly vbeyond the outer face of the window disk 8. A substance, as varnish, effects a seal between' the disk 8 and the base plates 34,' extensions 36- and screws 35. Lying directly against the end of each extension 36 is a conductor terminal'clip 37, having a drifted through boss 38 against which the lhead of a screw 40 bears. The threaded shank of the screw 40 is screwed into'the threaded hole in the extension 36 thereby clamping the conductor terminal clip 37 tightly to the extension 36, as shown in Fig. 2. A conductor 41 is attached to each -terminalclip byhaving the ears 42"of the clip bent around a baredV end of the conductor 4'1 and by consolidating these metallic parts with solder, if desired. Y

From Fig. 2 it is clear that the screws 35 prevent the lightwell terminals 31 vfrom turning about the axes of their respective cylindrical extensions 36, which lit in holes'of corresponding shape in the window disk 8, since each screw 35 fits closely ina hole in this disk'and is threaded into the base plate 34 of its associated lightwell terminal 31, the axis of each screw 35 being offset from the axis ofthe extension 36 of the terminal 31 into which such screw 35 is entered. Similarly, the external conductor terminal clips 37 are prevented from turning, since-their upper ends have semi-circular recesses forming prongs that embrace theheads of screws 35, so that the conductor terminal clips 37 cannot turn about the shanksof the screws 40. The conductors 41 lead the adjacent side of the guide bracket 29V lies has been shown to be coincident with a shoulder formed. in consequence ofthe difference in the internal diameters ofthe* portions 1 and 2 of the lightwell casing. A pad 44, shown in Fig. 2, underlies the U-shaped guide bracket 29, which guide bracket bears on the pad, and,.therefore, cannot be rotated' to become angularly or otherwise displaced from itsnormal position.

The parallel arms 45 of the U-shapedguide bracket'29 are provided with guide slots 46, shownV to best advantage in Figs. 2, 4 and 7. Integral with the body portion 17 Aof the lamp holderV and projecting from one side' thereof `to extend between the parallel arms of the guide bracket 29 is a lug`47. A pin 48 extends through a'.v holel near the free endof the lug 4'7 with such tight nt 'as to be rigidly combinedewith the lug, this :pin havingsuch length and disposition that it extends from opposite sides of thelug 47, its opposite end portions passing through the slots 46 inv the'parallel arms 45 ofthe bracket 29 and to shortdistances therebeyond. ns the width of the lug 47 is substantially equal tothe distance between the arms 45, the` lug is guidedly slidable longitudinally of the bracket29, asis the lamp holder, for a purpose presently explained.

In the normal operation of'thelightwell, its parts are in the positions best appreciated from Figs. l, 2 and 6, s`o that withv the electriccurrent 'flowing therethrough thelamp bulbs 24 glow and light passes through the disk-like window`8, illuminating the interiorY of the instrument or Vchamber with which the' lightwell is associated. The gasket 4'sealstheinterior of thein'strurnent or chamber at the place of application of the lightwell,V and, as the lightwell is itself sealed, as previously explained,- and the instrument is also otherwise sealed, no moisture-laden air can enter the instrument or chamber.r

At suchtimes as it is desired to inspect or replacev the lampV bulbs 2 4, or other interior parts ofthe lightwell, the rst step is to grasp and turn the cover 1l, which thereupon is screwedoi the threaded flange 10. 'Since the cover 1l is rotativelly mounted on the stud 13 that is an in- 'tegral part of Ythe lamp holder, and is captive on this stud between the wear washers l5 and`2l, the lamp holder is Withdrawn with the cover. Asthisfocc'ur's, the lamp holder lug-47 slides longitudinally ofv and between the parallel arms 45 OfYthejbracKetZQ, the opposite ends of the pin 48` sliding 'in 'the guide As'lo'ts`46 ofthe arms 445; vand atthe saine "time preventing rotation of the lamp holder. Thus, there is nofrustrative twist# ing of the electrical'conduotors 26, or other relative displacementof internal-parts that might tendto retard'the withdrawal of the lamp holder from the casing of the lightwell'. g

Upon nthe release'of thethre'ads ofthe cover 1I from'those of theila-nge l0l of the casing, the turning of the vcover is stopped, but the outward pull 'on it is continuedf This pull,- however, is' terminated by the ends ofthe lamp holder pin 48 reaching the outer ends of the slots 46 inthe parallel arms 45 ofthe bracket29'jf'I'hepinY 48 so stopped becomes a pivot for the assembly com'- prising the cover and the lamp holder, vand this assembly is then turned about the axis of' pin '48 to a position such as is shown in Fig. V"1.' YThe lampholder and the lampbulbs 24 carried thereby have then been fully retracted from Ythe casing of the lightweli "and positioned so thatthe lamp bulbs may be examined or replaced. Y v

During the Withdrawal ofthe lamp holder, the lexibleelectrical conductorsV 26 bendA and shift their positions to some degree, but the guide pins 28 and the adjacent portions of the interior surface of the wall of the vlightvvell casing adequately control theA displacements of the conductors 26, as may be understood from Figs. 2, 4. 6 and A"l,

so that these conductorsare guided to remain in positions from which they may resume their iolmer dispositions" when the lamp holder isl restored to its normal positionin the casing.

' f To `make such restoration, the assembly'cornprising the coverl 11V and, the Alamp Aholder is turned about the axis of vpin 48 in the direction reverseto .that of theiirst'mentioned turning thereabout, and is pushed toward the' open mouth of the lightwell casing until the cover l1 is in position to be again screwed onto the threaded flange 10 of the casinggiwhich is then done. As f.

the cover ll is screwed into place, thedisk portion orvhead 16 of the lamp holder comes against the gasket 22 inthe open end of the lightwell casing, continuedturning of thev coverl ll push; ing the disk 16 against the gasket 22 to compress it and again seal this end of the lightwell.. rvThe parts of the lightwell will have. then resumed their normal positions,` the lamp holder lug 47 andpin 48 having slidreyersely lalong vthearrns 45. of the bracket 29 and the electricalfconductors 26 having movedV backto again assume-theirfformer positions/ e In the lightwell embodiment 'of 'the invenherein disclosed theV casing, lamp holder and cover are permanently interj tion has been shownand described.itl will' be y understood .that it may. bel'embodi'edfin other forms, and that various changes in i'ts structural parts may be made without departingffrom the principle of the inventionas dened infthe ap- 1.'In a lightwell, a casing comprising Ya body portion having an open end and a removable cover for said open end; a lampecar'rying holdernormally in said casing,v and adjustable mechani-l cal connections combining said'holder'and body portion for relative linear and angularv movements enabling rthe withdrawal of y said :holder and a turning thereofv into an accessible position while Vremaining connected to said body portion. l In a lightwell, a casingfcomprisinga"J body portion having an openend, -a light permeable part and a detachableV cover forl said open end,V a lamp-carrying holder normally in said casing, and a adjustable mechanical connections combinasf ing said holder,l cover and body portion for-rela# tive linear and angular movementsenabling the withdrawal of said coverl and holder from `vsaid body portion and a turning thereof into an accessibleV position while remaining fconnected'to said body portion. e f 1 3; In allightw'ell, a casing comprising a body 'portionk having an openv end, ya' sealed light-perl meable portionand aremovable cover rfor said open end, an interruptible seal between said open end'and cover,a lamp-carrying holder normally .in said casing, and 'adjustable"mechanicalcon-l 'nectio'ns' combining said'holde'r vand body portion for relative linear'- and' angular movements enabling the Withdrawal of said holderand a turn# ingthere'of' into an accessible position while' re- 'Ymaining-connected to Said body portion.

4. In alightwell, a casing comprising a body portion havingan open end, a removable cover attached to said openend,van interruptible -seal between said open end'and cover,Y a light-'ipermeable closure in sealed" relation to vsaidv body portion and an attachment member combined with said body portion `provided with a seal and adapted to be aixed and-sealedto anapertured A portion of a housing to be L'interiorly illuinined, aV lighting device normally in said casing, and adjustable mechanical connections combiningV said device and body portion for relative linear and angular movements enabling the withdrawal of said device from said casing and a turning thereof into an accessible position while remaining connected to said body portion.

5. In a lightwell, a casing comprising a main body :portion havingA an open end, means for the egress of light,.and a removable cover'for said open end, a xedly positioned guide in said casing, and a displaceable lighting device normally positioned in said casing engaging said guide for sliding and pivotal movements enabling the withdrawal of said device Vfrom said casing into an accessible position and its return into said casing when said cover is removed.

6. In a lightwell, a casing comprising a main body portion -having an open end, a portion for vthe egress of light Vand an external cover, an"in terior disk member 'covering the open end of said main body portion, sealing meansbetween said disk member and open'end, said external cover being, rotatively vmounted on said disk member and attachable to the open end of said body portion, a xed guide in said casing, and a displaceable lighting device normally in said casingvextending inwardly from said disk member and en- Y gagingsaid guide for sliding and pivotal Vmovements enabling the withdrawal of said device from said casing into an accessible position when said cover is detached from said body portionof said casing and its return into the latter. l

7. In a lightwell,'a casing comprising a body portion having an open end and a window and a detachable cover for said open end,` a'lamp-carryingholder normally in said casing, Aa guide fixed inthe interior of said body portion and having parallell slotted arms extending from an vinner part of said body portion'toward its Aopen end, and an Velement rigid With said: holder having projections entered into the slots-of said arms,

said holder being Withdrawable Whensaid cover is detached untilsaid projections engagethe outer ends of theslots in-said arms,` whereupon said holder is adapted tov be turned into an `accessible position outside of the bodygportion of said casmg.V j' 8. Inga lightwell, a c asing comprisingabody portion having an open end and a Window and a detachable cover for said open end, an internal guide extending longitudinally of said bodyportion toward its open end, a lamp-carrying holder normally in said casingrengaging said guidasaid cover being revolubly mounted on said holder for attachment to and removal from said body portion, said cover Vand holder being withdrawable from their normal positions under the control of said guide'and being movable into an accessible positionexteriorly of said body portionwhile remaining connected thereto. Y

y 9. In al lightwell, a casing ,comprising `avfbody portion having an open end andrav window and a detachable cover .for said open" end, anjinternal guideextending longitudinally .of said body portion toward its open end, a lamp-carrying holder normally entered into saidcasing engaging said guide for sliding and pivotal movements said cover being revolubly mountedv on said holder for attachment to and removal from said body portion, removable retaining means for said clover, said cover and holder being movabler under the control of said guide into an accessible position exteriorly of said body portion While remainother, onerbeing. in xed relation to said body portionandY the other being rigid with said lamp holder and co-acting to restrain said holder from rotation, said cover being attachable to and removable from the open end of said body. portion by rotary movement, said lamp holder being Withdrawable under the control of said guide member. and part by sliding and pivotal movements into an accessible position when said cover is detached and being reversely movable into the interior of the casing.

vv11. In alightwell, a casing comprising a main body portion having an open end, a portion for the egress of light, and a detachable closure for said open end, a displaceable lamp holder having a.Y body -portion normally in said casing and being provided witha lamp socket, said holder having internal space leading to said socket and in communication with the interior of said casing, electricaliconnections.passing from the exterior to the interior of said casing including flexible conductors extendingthrough theinternal space of said holder and being electrically connected kto said socket, an incandescent lamp in said socket, andguiding means whereby said holder is slidable out of and into said-bodyportion and is capable of being turned into an accessible position outside of said body portion when said closure is detached.` Y

Y -12. In aA lightwell, a normally closed casing adapted to be opened and provided with a Window, a lampV holder normally xedly positioned in said casing andretentively mounted for a combined sliding and turning withdrawal from and insertion linto -said casing when the latter is open, said lampl holdervhaving a v`Wall forming an interior recess, there being an aperture through said wall into saidY recess, `a lamp socket permanently held in said recess, a removable incandescent lamp in saidsocket near said window, and flexible electrical conductors r`extending through said :aperture and recess to said socket .and being electrically connected to said socket.

13 In a lightwell, acasing shell havingV open opposite ends, a coverv removably attached to one end thereof, a light-permeable closure attached and sealed to the opposite end of said casing, metallic terminals each having a base portion, attached to said closure and oppositely projecting extensionstherefrom formed for the attachment thereto of` electrical conductors, an extension of each Vterminal passing through said closure to the exterior thereof and another extension of each terminal being within said casing, an electrical lightingldevice normallyin said casing having an illuminable portionin proximity `to said closure, said lighting device being mounted for withdrawal Vfrom said casing upondetachment of said cover, and flexible electrical conductors between said interior terminal extensions and said lighting device. Y 14, In a lightwell, a casing comprising a main body portion having an open end and an opposite end provided with a window, and a detachable cover for-said open end, a lamp holder normally in said` casing, an incandescent lamp inserted into saidholder near said window, ay slotted guide, a member having a pin co-acting with said guide, said guide and member being one Vrigid with the interior of saidv casing andthe other fast to said holdensaid holder being movable when said cover order dependent upon the direction of the movement of said holder, and electrical connections to said lamp holder.

15. In a lightwell, a casing comprising a main body portion having a Window and an open end and a detachable cover attached to said open end, a slotted guide fast to and extending longitudinally of the interior of said body portion toward said open end, a lamp holder normally in said casing, an incandescent lamp inserted therein near said Window, an element rigid with said holder and projecting into said guide, said holder being Withdrawable until said element encounters the outer slotted end of said guide and thereafter being adapted to be pivotally turned into an accessible position, and being adapted to be reversely movable into said casing, and electrical connections to said lamp holder.

16. In a lightwell, a casing comprising a main body portion having an open threaded end and a Window, and a threaded cover screwed onto said open threadedend, a slotted guide xed to an intermediate portion of the interior of said bodyportion and extending toward its open end, a lamp-carrying holder'having a body portion normally in said casing and an outer part upon which said cover is retentively andrevolubly mounted, an element rigid With said holderV and projecting into said guide, said cover and holder being adapted to be retracted until said element encounters the outer slotted end of said guide and to be thereafter pivotally turned into an accessible position exteriorly of said casing and being vreversely returnable to their former positions,A and electrical connections to said lamp holder.

17. In a lightWell, a casing comprising a main body portion having an' open threaded end, a sealed window and a threaded cover for said open end, a fixed.r guide interiorly of said body portion extending from an intermediate rpart thereof toward said open end, a lamp holder comprising a lamp-carrying portion normally in said body portion, a diskportion covering the open end of said body portion and a supporting-portion retentively and revolubly mounting said cover, a seal between the open end of said body portion and the disk portion of said holder carried by one of them, an element rigid With said holder engaging said guide, said cover being adapted to be screwed oiT the open end of said body rportion with an accompanying displacement of said holder andV element, said element being slidable into a pivotal relation with the outer end of said guide whereby said cover and lamp holder may be turned into an accessible position exterior to said body portion While remaining connectedk thereto, reverse actuation of said cover and holder returning them to their former positions and sealing the open end of said body portion, and electrical connections extending from the exterior to the interior of said casing and to said lamp holder. Y

18. In a lightWell, a casing comprising a bod portion having an o-pen end and a removable cover therefor, a lamp-carrying holder movable out of and into Vsaid body portion, a xed guide withV Which said holder is slidably connected, said guide extending longitudinally of said bo-dy portion to- Ward said open enddisplaceable flexible electrical conductors connected to said holder and Y I extending longitudinally of said guide,` and guides for said displaceable conductors in fixed relation toand projecting laterally 'from the first named guide.

ELLIOTT P. ROSS. JAMES V. LAWRENCE. 

